Volunteers Week: We keep going, we’ll keep growing, thanks to you!

Volunteers’ Week graphic in English

Volunteers’ Week graphic in Welsh

JUNE 3rd-9th is Volunteers’ Week - a chance to recognise the fantastic contribution volunteers make to our communities and say thank you.

The Open Table Network wouldn’t - and couldn’t - exist without the volunteers who give energy, time and talents, across England and Wales. All of our Trustees and our Patrons do the same. So we want to thank them all for making OTN what it is today.

Of course, if you’re a potential volunteer, we want to say: ‘Welcome!’ After all, giving LGBTQIA+ people an open, heartfelt welcome is what OTN is all about.

One of OTN’s requirements for all our communities is that LGBTQIA+ people are involved in every aspect of planning and leadership.

In 2023, our network grew from 31 to 35 communities, with the support of 316 volunteers (including 124 new to volunteering with OTN), who gave around 8,778 hours a month in 2023 - an increase of 37% since 2022.

In 2024, three more communities have already joined our network, three more are preparing to launch, and we're working with more than ten other churches to explore whether they can host an Open Table community.

In 2021, we asked our volunteers ‘What attracted you to support your Open Table community’.

Their responses showed that their support for others grew out of support for themselves. The reasons they gave included:

• Help to integrate my spirituality and my sexuality / gender identity

• Wanted to be part of support, affirmation and change for LGBTQIA+ people

• Wanted to create an explicit welcome for LGBTQIA+ people

• Wanted to be part of an LGBTQIA+ affirming community

• Inclusive worship and liturgy

• A sense of belonging and community

• Wanted to provide support for LGBTQIA+ people in ministry

• Wanted to create a non-judgmental safe community.

Here are just a couple of the personal quotes that people added to their answers:

“Open Table Network was really good for my mental health, but super fun because I’ve been part of it.”

“I start to see people begin to flourish as they begin to accept themselves and find people who have lived similar experiences.”

Read the full report on our research with our members, volunteers and partners.

Before you go, we just want to say this: May God bless you all, as you are a blessing to us.

Here’s how you could support us, through prayer, volunteering and giving.